New York City, July 10: Sweden's former world heavyweight boxing champion Ingemar Johansson has been suffering from Alzheimer's disease for several years, his wife Edna said on Tuesday (July 9). "Ingemar is sick. He has been sick for several years," she told the Swedish daily Aftonbladet. The 70-year-old, who won the world heavyweight title in 1959 when he beat American Floyd Patterson in New York, is still unaware that he has the disease, according to his wife. "I have kept it a secret for Ingemar's sake. It's impossible to step forward and give the disease a face when you're not aware that you're sick," she said. Johansson became only the fifth person born outside of the United States to win the world title when he knocked out Patterson with a vicious right-hand punch during the 3rd round in Madison Square Garden.

He returned to Sweden a hero, but a year later Patterson became the first person to regain the world title when he knocked out Johansson in the 5th round on June 20, 1960, again in New York.

Johansson sought his revenge on Patterson in Miami on March 13, 1961 but again he was beaten by a knockout, this time in the 6th.

Johansson fought four more times winning them all before retiring in 1963 having compiled a professional career record of 26 wins and two losses.

In later years, Johansson enjoyed taking part in marathons including the 1981 New York event before his illness saw him withdraw from public view.

Bureau Report.